Explore scales · Bass
B acoustic scale on bass guitar
B acoustic contains B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 2 for a low-position shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the B acoustic scale on bass?
B acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♯ on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
B acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
B acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E♯ on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 7 and the D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
B acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
B acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
B acoustic is the fourth mode of F♯ melodic minor, built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. The ♯4 creates a tritone against the root, and the ♭7 removes the leading tone. Compare it to B mixolydian, which lowers the ♯4 to a perfect 4th.
When to use it
B acoustic fits B major and B 5th chords, and works over B7 in jazz-blues. The ♯4 adds a Lydian colour over dominant chords; resolve it to the 5th for a smooth line. Use it for fusion or modal rock in B.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 2, covering frets 1–4. It keeps the ♯4 reachable without shifting.
Common questions
What notes are in B acoustic?
B acoustic contains B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A. The formula is 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7.
Which chords does B acoustic fit?
B acoustic fits B major and B 5th chords. It also works over B7 in dominant contexts.
Is B acoustic the same as B mixolydian?
No. B acoustic has a ♯4 (E♯), while B mixolydian has a perfect 4th (E). The other six notes are identical.